Dialysis service box

ABSTRACT

A dialysis service box for centralized control and plumbing arrangement of a dialysis machine is disclosed. The dialysis service box includes a plumbing arrangement having a supply inlet for supplying a fluid to the dialysis machine, a backflow preventer for preventing retrograde flow through the plumbing arrangement, a trap primer for maintaining a trap seal designed to prevent waste gases from flowing into the dialysis service box and a waste connection for allowing waste from the dialysis machine to exit. The dialysis service box can be universally installed to operate, control and adjust any dialysis machine that requires supply connection, waste connection, backflow preventer and trap primer, or any combination of the foregoing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending application Ser. No.14/486,523 filed Sep. 15, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 13/180,438 filed Jul. 11, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,834,718 B2) which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/363,084 filed on Jul. 9, 2010, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to dialysis service box, and inparticular to a dialysis service box for providing a centralized compactplumbing connection service box for one or more medical dialysismachines.

BACKGROUND

The dialysis process and procedure is performed by medical careproviders in a hospital or other healthcare facility in which anindividual to be treated undergoes a process for removing waste andexcess water from the blood, and is primarily used to provide anartificial replacement for lost kidney function in individuals withrenal failure. In almost all cases the medical care provider utilizes adialysis machine in which the plumbing connection to the dialysismachine typically requires potable, untreated city tap water for supplyto the dialysis machine and a waste drain for receiving waste from thedialysis machine as the individual undergoes treatment. As shown in FIG.1, a prior art dialysis service system 10 for performing dialysisrequires a single service box with a hose bib and drain connection 14for supplying a water source and removing waste from the dialysismachine. In addition, the prior art hose bib and drain connection 14, insome jurisdictions (consult your local code), requires a backflowpreventer 18 for preventing retrograde flow of contaminated water andtrap primer 16 for insuring periodic priming of the waste outlet toprevent the backflow of waste gases. As shown, the backflow preventer 18and the trap primer 16 are located at remote and separate locationsrelative to the hose bib and drain connection 14, therefore requiringextensive plumbing be installed to interconnect all of the components ofthe prior art dialysis service system 10.

With the backflow preventer 18 and the trap primer 16 at separate remotelocations, numerous drawbacks exist in the current configuration of theprior art dialysis service system 10 which requires multiple dialysisservices system locations. This arrangement necessarily increasesresponse time by medical personnel to react to any emergency betweenmultiple locations. In addition, there is the inconvenience and cost ininterior design and installation of the plumbing infrastructure thatincreases the expense to install separate components as well as anincreased cost in maintenance and operation in that the existing designsrequire more wall space, material, labor, and time to install andoperate the necessary additional plumbing 12 that must run between allof the remote components of the prior art dialysis system 10. Therefore,there is a need in the art for a dialysis service box that addressesthese deficiencies in the prior art dialysis service system 10.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a dialysis service box may include a casing having atop side portion, a bottom side portion, a rear side portion, a leftside portion and a right side portion that collectively define anenclosure. A water supply inlet is attached to the casing and is incommunication with a source of fluid, while a waste outlet is alsoattached to the casing with the waste outlet being in fluid flowcommunication with a waste disposal. A dialysis supply and wastemanagement system is also disposed within the enclosure of the casingand may include a plumbing arrangement in fluid flow communication withthe supply inlet at a first end of the plumbing arrangement and aconnection port formed at a second end of the plumbing arrangement. Inaddition, a backflow preventer is in fluid flow communication with theplumbing arrangement for preventing retrograde flow of a fluid throughthe plumbing arrangement and a trap primer is in fluid flowcommunication with the plumbing arrangement.

In another embodiment, a system may include a dialysis machine in fluidflow communication with a dialysis service box. The dialysis service boxmay include a casing having a top side portion, a bottom side portion, arear side portion, a left side portion and a right side portion thatcollectively define an enclosure. A supply inlet is attached to thecasing and is in communication with a source of fluid, while a wasteoutlet is also attached to the casing with the waste outlet being influid flow communication with a waste disposal. A dialysis supply andwaste management system is disposed within the enclosure of the casingand may include a plumbing arrangement in fluid flow communication withthe supply inlet at a first end of the plumbing arrangement and aconnection port formed at a second end of the plumbing arrangement. Abackflow preventer is in fluid flow communication with the plumbingarrangement for preventing retrograde flow of a fluid through theplumbing arrangement and a trap primer in fluid flow communication withthe plumbing arrangement for allowing the fluid to enter the wasteoutlet.

In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a dialysis servicebox may include:

-   -   forming a casing having a top side portion, a bottom side        portion, a left side portion, an opposing right side portion,        and a rear side portion for defining an enclosure;    -   installing a plumbing arrangement within the enclosure of the        casing in which the plumbing arrangement includes a first end        having a supply inlet and a second end having a connection port        configured to be in fluid flow communication with a dialysis        machine;    -   installing a trap primer within the enclosure of the casing and        in communication with the plumbing arrangement; and    -   installing a backflow preventer within the enclosure of the        casing and in fluid flow communication with the plumbing        arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration showing a prior art dialysis servicesystem;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing a dialysis service systemhaving a dialysis service box connected to a dialysis machine in ahospital room setting;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dialysis servicebox;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dialysis service box illustratingthe various components of a dialysis supply and waste system;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dialysis service box showing the dimensionof the casing that houses the dialysis supply and waste system;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the dialysis service box;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the dialysis service box; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating one method for manufacturing thedialysis service box.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements amongthe various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figuresshould not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, a dialysis service box and method of manufacturingand using the dialysis service box is configured and arranged to providea centralized control and plumbing arrangement of dialysis machines. Thedialysis service box can be universally installed in a convenientlocation to operate, control, and adjust any connected dialysis machinethat requires a potable water supply connection, waste outletconnection, backflow preventer, and trap primers. In addition, a methodof retrofitting the dialysis service box to one or more existingdialysis machines to optimize operation, reduce the cost of maintenance,ease the control and adjustment of the water supply and waste disposalof the dialysis machine is described.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the dialysis service box isillustrated and generally indicated as 100 in FIGS. 2-8. In general, asshown in FIG. 2, the dialysis service box 100 provides a means formanaging the flow of potable water from a public water supply 107through the dialysis service box 100 and waste disposal system 109 fordisposal of waste products from a dialysis machine 103 in fluid flowcommunication with the dialysis service box 100 via a connection conduit125. In one embodiment, the dialysis service box 100 may be recessedwithin the wall of a hospital room 105 or other healthcare facility toprovide convenient access for connection of the dialysis service box 100to the dialysis machine 103; however in other embodiments the dialysisservice box 100 may be wall or cabinet mounted. In operation, thedialysis service box 100 is configured to be universally installed tooperate, control, and adjust any dialysis machine 103 that requires asupply connection, waste connection, reduced pressure backflowpreventer, and trap priming as shall be discussed in greater detailbelow.

Referring to FIG. 3, the dialysis service box 100 includes a casing 102having a door assembly 150 that communicates with an enclosure 152defined by the casing 102 for housing a dialysis supply and wastemanagement system 101 having various components that manage the watersupply and waste disposal operations for the dialysis machine 103. Asshown, the casing 102 includes a supply inlet 104 coupled to plumbingarrangement 132 that transports a supply of water from the water supply107, for example a public water supply system, to the dialysis servicebox 100 and a waste outlet 106 in communication with a fixture drain(not shown) for allowing waste received from the dialysis machine 103 toexit the dialysis service box 100 for proper disposal in the wastedisposal system 109, such as a public sewer system. To facilitate fluidflow communication between the service box 100 and the dialysis machine103, the connection port 111 may include an adapter 121, for example, amale adapter.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the casing 102 forms a top side portion 140, abottom side portion 142, a left side portion 144, a right side portion146, a rear portion 148, and a door assembly 150 that collectivelydefine the enclosure 152 for housing the various components of thedialysis supply and waste management system 101 of the dialysis servicebox 100. The door assembly 150 may include a knob 166 for opening andclosing the door assembly 150. In one embodiment, the casing 102 mayhave a generally rectangular or square-shaped configuration. Forexample, the casing 102 may have a length 700 of about 17 inches, awidth 702 of about 17 inches, and a depth 704 of about 4 inches. In someembodiments, the dialysis service box 100 may have a length 700 between15 to 20 inches, a width 702 between 15 to 20 inches, and a depth 704between 2 to 6 inches. In one embodiment, the bottom side portion 142may have a tapered configuration that channels liquids, such as waterand waste, into the waste outlet 106. In some embodiments, the casing102 may be a recessed box built with a combination of bent and welded 18gauge stainless steel with the door assembly 150 being made from aseparate pre-manufactured stainless steel. The apparatus, articles ofmanufacture, and methods described herein are not limited in thisregard.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dialysis supply and waste management system 101includes various components for the management of the water supply andwaste disposal operations for the dialysis service box 100. In someembodiments, the dialysis supply and waste management system 101includes a backflow preventer 110 for preventing retrograde flow ofliquid back through the plumbing arrangement 132 of the dialysis supplyand waste system 101, a trap primer 116 to insure periodic priming of ap-trap (not shown) that is connected to the waste outlet 106 in fluidflow communication with the waste disposal system 109 to prevent thebackflow of waste gases back into the dialysis service box 100, andfirst, second and third shut-off valves 112, 113 and 114 for preventingfluid flow communication at various points along the plumbingarrangement 132 of the dialysis supply and waste management system 101.In some embodiments, the first, second and third shut-off valves 112,113, and 114 may each be a ½″ copper ball valve configured to permit orprevent fluid flow communication through plumbing arrangement 132 whenactuated.

As noted above, the reduced pressure backflow preventer 110 preventsretrograde flow of liquid back through the plumbing arrangement 132 ofthe dialysis service box 100. In one embodiment, the reduced pressurebackflow preventer 110 is a testable backflow preventer that falls underthe UPC code requirement for most cities and municipalities to protectthe potable water supply from possible contaminants generated by thedialysis machine 103 that can be caused if retrograde flow of liquidswere allowed to occur. In addition, the reduced pressure backflowpreventer 110 includes a dump port 164 that allow for water to exit incase of retrograde flow of liquid due to a loss of water pressure ormechanical failure of the reduced pressure backflow preventer 100. Asshown, the reduced pressure backflow preventer 110 includes a pluralityof test ports, designated 118A, 118B and 118C, which are configured toengage a testing device designed to test and ensure the proper operationof the reduced pressure backflow preventer 110. In one embodiment, thereduced pressure backflow preventer 110 may be a ½″ WATTS 009QT RPAssembly 1, although other suitable types of reduced pressure backflowpreventers may be utilized.

The trap primer 116 is in fluid flow communication with plumbingarrangement 132 for insuring periodic priming of the p-trap to preventwaste gases from flowing back into the dialysis service box 100 byallowing sufficient wetting of the p-trap by the gravity flow of wateror water droplets into the p-trap through an aperture 165 (FIG. 5)formed at the lower end of the trap primer 116. In one embodiment, thetrap primer 116 may be a ½ MIFAB Trap Primer 2 designed to meet UPC coderequirements. In addition, the casing 102 may include a drip deflectiontray 120 mounted proximate the bottom side portion 142 which is engagedbetween the right side portion 144 and left side portion 146 of thecasing 102 and is configured to deflect any liquid that may drip frombetween the fittings of the plumbing arrangement 132 or other componentsof the dialysis supply and waste management system 101. The dripdeflection tray 120 forms a tray body 156 defining opposing side walls158 with a pair of rods 154 attached or integral with the opposing sidewalls 158 of the tray body 156 that are engaged to the right and leftside portions 144 and 146 of the casing 102. The rods 154 of the traybody 156 are configured to swivel such that the drip deflection tray 120may be positioned between a folded position when the door assembly 150is closed and in an extended position to when the door assembly 150 isopen to prevent spillage of liquid outside the casing 102. In oneembodiment, the drip deflection tray 120 may be made from stainlesssteel.

As noted above, the supply inlet 104 is in fluid flow communication withthe water supply 107 for providing an inflow 124 of liquid that enters afirst end of the plumbing arrangement 132 for supplying water to thedialysis machine 103 through a connection port 111 located at a secondend of the plumbing arrangement 132 to establish fluid flowcommunication. The connection port 111 may include a male adapter 121configured to engage a female adapter 123 associated with the dialysismachine 103 via a connection conduit 125 (shown schematically in FIG.2). As illustrated, the fluid pathway of water, designated 160, travelsthrough the plumbing arrangement 132 of the dialysis service box 100. Inaddition, a portion of fluid pathway 160, designated fluid pathway 162,may be diverted to the trap primer 116 for supplying the trap primer 116sufficient water to prime the p trap as discussed above through a secondplumbing arrangement 134 coupled to the plumbing arrangement 132. Ableed port 115, for example a pressure relief valve, is in communicationwith the plumbing arrangement 132 to provide a means for bleeding excesspressurized water if the pressure of the water within the plumbingarrangement 132 exceeds a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments,the pressure of the water flowing through the plumbing arrangement 132may be 80 psi, or preferably 50 psi, although the pressure of the watermay range between 40-80 psi.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the casing 102 may include four mountingtabs 136 having a plurality of apertures 138 for receiving a screw, nailor other suitable means of attachment (not shown) such that the casing102 may be secured within a recess formed inside a wall of a hospitalroom or mounted directly on the wall or a cabinet.

In one embodiment, the supply inlet 104 may be ½″ copper type “L” tubeconfigured to permit sufficient flow of water into the plumbingarrangement 132. The plumbing arrangement 132 may include a ½″ coppertee that permits diversion of second flow pathway 162 the secondplumbing arrangement 134 having a ½″ copper type “L” tube that iscoupled to a ½″ copper female adapter engaged to the trap primer 116. Inaddition, a ½″ copper male adapter may be engaged to the opposite end ofthe trap primer 116 coupled to another ½″ copper type “L” tube definingaperture 165 for permitting gravity flow of liquid into the wastedisposal 109. As shown, a ½″ copper type “L” tube may be coupled betweenthe ½″ copper tee and a ½″ copper 90, which is engaged to another ½″copper type “L” tube. A ½″ copper HP brass union is interposed betweenthe ½″ copper type “L” tube and a ½″ brass street 90. In someembodiments, a ½″ brass 90 may be coupled to a ½″×2½″ brass nipplebetween the reduced pressure backflow preventer 116 and the connectionport 111. Moreover, a′/Z′ brass 90 may be connected between the ½″×2½″brass nipple and a ½″ brass street 90, which is coupled to a ½″ brass 90for engagement with the connection port 111.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flow chart illustrates one method formanufacturing the dialysis service box 100. At block 200, forming thecasing 102 having a top side portion 140, a bottom side portion 142, aleft side portion 144, an opposing right side portion 146, and a rearportion 148 for defining an enclosure 152. At block 202, installingplumbing arrangement 132 within the enclosure 152 of the casing 102 inwhich one end of the plumbing arrangement 132 has a supply inlet 104 andthe opposite end has a connection port 111. At block 204, installing asecond plumbing arrangement 134 to the plumbing arrangement 132 and theninstalling a trap primer 116 in communication with the second plumbingarrangement 134. Finally, at block 206, installing a reduced pressurebackflow preventer 110 in communication with the plumbing arrangement132. At block 208, engaging a door assembly 150 to the casing 102 forallowing or preventing access to the enclosure 152.

In addition, a connection port 111 is located at a second end of theplumbing arrangement 132 to exit waste fluids from the dialysis servicebox 100. The connection port 111 may include a male adapter configuredto engage a female adapter (not shown) of the dialysis machine 103. Asillustrated, the fluid pathway of water, designated 160, travels fromthe thermostatic mixing component through the plumbing arrangement 132of the dialysis service box 100. In addition, a portion of fluid pathway160, designated fluid pathway 162, may be diverted to the trap primer116 for supplying the trap primer 116 sufficient water to prime the ptrap as discussed above through a second plumbing arrangement 134coupled to the plumbing arrangement 132. A bleed port 115, for example apressure relief valve, is in communication with the plumbing arrangement132 to provide a means for bleeding excess pressurized water if thepressure of the water within the plumbing arrangement 132 exceeds apredetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the pressure of the waterflowing through the plumbing arrangement 132 may be 80 psi, orpreferably 50 psi, although the pressure of the water may range between40-80 psi.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the casing 102 may include fourmounting tabs 136 having a plurality of apertures 138 for receiving ascrew, nail or other suitable means of attachment (not shown) such thatthe casing 102 may be secured within a recess formed inside a wall of ahospital room or mounted directly on the wall or a cabinet.

In one embodiment, the warm water inlet 135 and cold water inlet 137 mayboth be a copper type “L” tube configured to permit sufficient flow ofwater into the plumbing arrangement 132. The plumbing arrangement 132may include a copper tee that permits diversion of second flow pathway162 the second plumbing arrangement 134 having a copper type “L” tubethat is coupled to a copper female adapter engaged to the trap primer116. In addition, a′/2″ copper male adapter may be engaged to theopposite end of the trap primer 116 coupled to another copper type “L”tube defining aperture 165 for permitting gravity flow of liquid intothe waste disposal 109. As shown, a copper type “L” tube may be coupledbetween the ‘A″ copper tee and a copper 90, which is engaged to anothercopper type “L” tube. A′/2″ copper FIP brass union is interposed betweenthe copper type “L” tube and a′/2″ brass street 90. In some embodiments,a brass 90 may be coupled to a ‘A″×2½″ brass nipple between the reducedpressure backflow preventer 116 and the connection port 111. Moreover, aV brass 90 may be connected between the ×2½″ brass nipple and a ‘A″brass street 90, which is coupled to a brass 90 for engagement with theconnection port 111.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flow chart illustrates one method formanufacturing the dialysis service box 100. At block 200, forming thecasing 102 having a top side portion 140, a bottom side portion 142, aleft side portion 144, an opposing right side portion 146, and a rearportion 148 for defining an enclosure 152. At block 202, installing afirst plumbing arrangement within the enclosure of the casing in which afirst end of the plumbing arrangement has a cold water inlet incommunication with a source of cold water and a warm water inlet incommunication with a source of warm water, and a second end of theplumbing arrangement having a connection port. At block 204, installinga thermostatic mixing component 125 in fluid flow communication with thecold water inlet and the warm water inlet. At block 206, mixing the warmwater and the cold water within the thermostatic mixing component 125 toproduce mixed water at a predetermined temperature between thetemperature of the cold water and the temperature of the warm water. Atblock 208, engaging a door assembly 150 to the casing 102 for allowingor preventing access to the enclosure 152.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention asdefined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dialysis service box comprising: a casing having a top side portion, a bottom side portion, a rear side portion, a left side portion and a right side portion that collectively define an enclosure; a supply inlet configured to communicate with a source of fluid; a waste outlet configured to communicate with a waste disposal; and a dialysis supply and waste management system disposed within the enclosure of the casing, the dialysis supply and waste management system comprising: a plumbing system in fluid flow communication with the supply inlet; a connection port configured to provide fluid to a dialysis machine; a backflow preventer in fluid flow communication with the plumbing system and configured to prevent retrograde fluid flow through the plumbing arrangement; and a trap primer in fluid flow communication with the plumbing arrangement and configured for delivering priming fluid to the waste outlet by gravity flow; the dialysis service box further comprising a first adapter associated with the connection port, the first adapter configured to supply fluid to the dialysis machine.
 2. The dialysis service box of claim 1, wherein the first adapter is disposed proximate an outside surface of the casing.
 3. The dialysis service box of claim 2, wherein the outside surface of the casing comprises one of the top side portion, the bottom side portion, the rear side portion, the left side portion, and the right side portion.
 4. The dialysis service box of claim 2, wherein the casing further includes a door assembly, and further wherein the first adapter is disposed proximate an outside surface of the door assembly.
 5. The dialysis service box of claim 4, wherein the first adapter is connected to an outside surface of the door assembly.
 6. The dialysis service box of claim 1, wherein the first adapter is configured for fluid communication with a second adapter associated with the dialysis machine.
 7. The dialysis service box of claim 6, wherein the first adapter comprises a male adapter and the second adapter comprises a female adapter.
 8. The dialysis service box of claim 6, further comprising a fluid conduit extending between the casing and the dialysis machine, wherein the first adapter is configured to connect to a first end of the fluid conduit proximate the casing, and the second adapter is configured to connect to a second end of the fluid conduit proximate the dialysis machine.
 9. The dialysis service box of claim 1, wherein the connection port comprises the first adapter.
 10. A system comprising: a dialysis machine; a dialysis service box in fluid flow communication with the dialysis machine, the dialysis service box comprising: a casing defining an enclosure having a top side portion, a bottom side portion, a rear side portion, a left side portion and a right side portion that collectively define an enclosure, a supply inlet in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid; a waste outlet in fluid flow communication with a waste disposal; and a dialysis supply and waste management system disposed within the enclosure of the casing, the dialysis supply and waste management system comprising: a plumbing arrangement in fluid flow communication with the supply inlet and having a connection port configured for fluid communication with the dialysis machine; a backflow preventer in fluid flow communication with the plumbing arrangement for preventing retrograde fluid flow a through the plumbing arrangement; and a trap primer in fluid flow communication with the plumbing arrangement and configured for delivering priming fluid to the waste outlet by gravity flow; the dialysis service box further comprising a first adapter associated with the connection port and configured to supply fluid to the dialysis machine.
 11. The dialysis service box of claim 10, wherein the first adapter is disposed proximate an outside surface of the casing.
 12. The dialysis service box of claim 10, wherein the first adapter is configured for fluid communication with a second adapter associated with the dialysis machine.
 13. The dialysis service box of claim 12, wherein the first adapter comprises a male adapter and the second adapter comprises a female adapter.
 14. The dialysis service box of claim 12, further comprising a fluid conduit extending between the casing and the dialysis machine, wherein the first adapter is configured to connect to a first end of the fluid conduit proximate the casing, and the second adapter is configured to connect to a second end of the fluid conduit proximate the dialysis machine.
 15. The dialysis service box of claim 10, wherein the outside surface of the casing comprises one of the top side portion, the bottom side portion, the rear side portion, the left side portion, and the right side portion.
 16. The dialysis service box of claim 10, wherein the casing further includes a door assembly, and further wherein the first adapter is disposed proximate an outside surface of the door assembly.
 17. The dialysis service box of claim 16, wherein the first adapter is connected to an outside surface of the door assembly.
 18. The dialysis service box of claim 10, wherein the connection port comprises the first adapter.
 19. A method of manufacturing a dialysis service box comprising: forming a casing having a top side portion, a bottom side portion, a left side portion, an opposing right side portion, and a rear side portion defining an enclosure and including a waste outlet; installing a plumbing arrangement within the enclosure, the plumbing arrangement including a supply inlet and a connection port configured to be in fluid flow communication with a dialysis machine; installing a trap primer within the enclosure and in communication with the plumbing arrangement and the waste outlet for delivering priming fluid to the waste outlet by gravity flow; installing a backflow preventer within the enclosure and in fluid flow communication with the plumbing arrangement; and attaching a first adapter to the connection port and configuring the first adapter to supply fluid to the dialysis machine.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the casing further includes a door, the method further comprising attaching the first adapter to an outside surface of the casing. 